Frequently Asked Questions

What are your hours of operation? The office is open from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm except for County-observed holidays. However, we do not accept documents for recording after 4:45 pm on any day of the month. Applications for marriage are only accepted between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm.

Can anyone access the information contained in the Register of Deeds Office?Yes. All information in our office is public record.

How do I access your online records?Our Web Site application provides access to public records recorded by the Columbus County Register of Deeds of Whiteville, North Carolina. Our servers search the database and produce the requested results. We provide two servers for redundancy and load balancing.

How can I obtain general information about the services offered by the Register of Deeds office?In addition to our web site, we offer information at 640-6625. Topics covered include: hours of operation, marriage licenses, UCC (Uniform Commercial Code), cancellations, and obtaining copies of recorded documents.

How do I transfer names on a deed? You will need to draw up a new deed. You should see an attorney for this service unless you are familiar with drawing up legal documents. You will record the document here at a cost of $26 for the first 15 pages and $4 for each additional page. You may also have to pay excise tax. The excise tax amount is $2 per thousand dollars of the purchase price.

What do I do to register my business name?The document that files or puts on record a business name of an individual, partnership, or corporation other than its own name is referred to as Doing Business As, DBA, or Assumed Name. Assumed name forms are available on this web page under “Filing an Assumed Name.” Before filing the business name, you should perform a name search.

How do I obtain an initial appointment or reappointment form for my Notary Public?All Notary Public forms are available on the Secretary of State web site. Forms may also be obtained from our office. You will mail the application form to the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State will notify you when you are able to take your oath at our office.

Do I need an appointment to take my Notary Public oath? What should I bring with me?No appointment is necessary. Come in any time between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm. If you have your notice from the Secretary of State’s office, bring it with you, along with your valid I.D. The $10 fee is payable by cash or local check.

Can I obtain a copy of a birth certificate from your office?You can obtain a certified copy of a Columbus County birth or death certificate from the Columbus County Register of Deeds. NC Vital Records houses birth and death records for the state of NC. For more information, visit their web site or call NC Vital Records at 733-3526.

Can the Register of Deeds tell me who owns property at a specific address? The Register of Deeds public retrieval system is name-based.

How do I obtain a copy of my deed? All deeds are housed in the Register of Deeds Office. Deeds registered that are available through our web site system at no cost to you. Copies made from inside the Register of Deeds Office are 25¢ per page. You may also request a copy by mail at a cost of 25¢ per page.

How do I find out about outstanding liens (mechanics liens) and judgments?Contact the Clerk of Court office in the Courthouse at 641-4400.

What steps do I take to get married? You must obtain a license from a Register of Deeds office in North Carolina before your ceremony. The license is valid for 60 days, and then it expires. No appointment is necessary when applying for the marriage license. However, marriage licenses are only issued between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Absolutely NO marriage licenses will be issued after 4:30 pm. The cost of the marriage license is $60. Only cash is accepted. An ordained minister or a magistrate may perform the ceremony.

Once I have obtained a marriage license, whom do I speak with about a civil ceremony or marriage by the justice of the peace? Marriages can be performed in the Magistrate’s office. The fee is $20.00. Please call 641-3090 for more information.

How do I change my name after marriage? You will need a certified copy of your marriage license for a name change on your driver’s license and your Social Security card. You will present the certified copy to the Department of Motor Vehicles for a change on your driver’s license. DMV does not keep the copy.

How do I obtain a copy of my marriage license? If your marriage took place in Columbus County, you may request a copy by mail or in person. Copies are available at least 10 days after the wedding ceremony. To process the request, we need the name of bride and groom and the date of the marriage. A certified copy of a marriage license is $10 while an uncertified copy is 25¢.

How do I obtain a copy of my divorce? If the divorce was processed in Columbus County, you may obtain a copy from the Clerk of Court’s office in the Courthouse.

How do I file separation papers? It is advisable to see an attorney who will draw up the papers. Both parties will sign the document, and it must be notarized. The recording fee is $26 for the first 15 pages and $4 for each additional page. If real estate is involved, the papers must be filed in our office. Otherwise, the document may be held until time to file for divorce.